When one buys an RV whether for recreation or full-time, there are soooooo many things you don't know. Irv and I joined half-price campground clubs. The next step in 2008 was to become Florida residents to enjoy half-price fees at Florida State Parks but this past spring, Sharon and Arno's landlords (and our friends) told us to get a National Parks pass for $10 (lifetime) which allows half-price at National Parks, US Forest Service, Corp of Engineers... on and on; so we bought one at the Ranger Station in Oconee National Forest, GA on the way to Athens. What we don't have is half-price in any other state except Florida so it's full tilt ($28) to stay in Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Athens, GA but... worth it. Check out the covered bridge built in 1885 and still in use, serenity pool and white water rushing over stones in the river".
Our Athens arrival, Thursday, May 6th barely gave me time to freshen my "powder and paint that makes you look like what you ain't" as my granddaddy used to say, before Julie and Emily picked us up to attend Kelly's "Lamar Dodd Fine Arts Department" Diploma commencement exercise. Kelly's degree is Fine Arts, Fabric Design
At the reception afterward with a sneak preview of the "Fine Arts Department" Art Exhibit. Kelly's exhilbit was center stage as it graced the room, hung from the ceiling. It took her two months to design, cut, dye and attach the fabric to a frame for hanging. The fabric begins in an eggshell bone color and slowly evolves into a rich dark yellow.
A dinner was held in Kelly's honor on Friday evening prior to the formal opening of the exhibit and reception. Unfortunately she was unable to attend due to the timing of one last final and preparations along with fellows exhibitors of the food and drink which they provided themselves. Irv and I were so excited to be with Julie and Emily again and see sister-in-love, Lucretia, Kelly's Dad and Ambrose family. We thoroughly enjoyed her dinner affair. On to the exhibit.
Kelly and her fellow townhouse residents invited their parents and grandparents to a beautiful brunch on Graduation Day Saturday morning.
I read in tourist information one could see a display of 13 huge, beautifully painted, ceramic "UGA" sculptures around Athens (University of Georgia's mascot is a bulldog named UGA... Ugggg-ah). Julie was gracious enough to drive us around to find them.
UGA was chartered in 1785 and is the country's oldest Public Chartered university that has grown to 5,000 graduates in 2010. Each department has individual "Diploma Commencement" exercises as the full class exercises are held in the 90,000 capacity football stadium. The four "black boxes" that appear in the picture are actually four sections of students in cap and gown.
The Keynote speaker was... Alton Brown is an American cinematographer, author, and actor; creator and host of the Food Network television show Good Eats and is the main commentator on Iron Chef America. He quipped, "I finally was graduated from UGA by Honorary Degree as they continued to lower their standards for me".
So Kelly is successfully graduated from UGA and plans to continue her education at Kennesaw State College perusing a Master's Degree in Education while living at home. Kelly wanted to be a teacher when she was younger but turned to Fabric Design and art but has really enjoy teaching Sunday School in Athens which may have influenced her back to teaching and hopefully... teaching art. She says, "I want to live where I can look out my window and see mountains. Denver, CO would be nice."
Julie tells us she is busy drawing up a contract for Mother and adult children sharing the same abode. Kelly will move home just mere days before Emily leaves for college but that is another story.
No comments:
Post a Comment